Stopping harmful late sodium current in heart arrhythmias
Mechanism-inspired Strategies to Prevent Pathogenic Late Na Current in Cardiac Arrhythmias
This project is developing peptide-based blockers to stop excessive late sodium flow in heart cells for adults with dangerous arrhythmias and related heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235097 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how a natural heart protein called FHF changes the behavior of the Nav1.5 sodium channel and causes a prolonged sodium current that can trigger arrhythmias. Scientists will use lab-based molecular tools, a new FRET assay, and studies of different FHF splice versions to pinpoint the exact mechanism. With that knowledge, they will design and test small peptides meant to reduce the harmful late sodium current. The effort is aimed at turning those peptide tools into potential treatments that lower arrhythmia risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, or heart failure thought to involve increased late sodium current or Nav1.5 channel dysfunction would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose heart problems are not related to Nav1.5 or late sodium current, or whose care focuses on non-electrical causes, would be unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce a new class of drugs that reduce dangerous late sodium current and lower the chance of life-threatening arrhythmias and heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Other drugs that reduce late sodium current, such as ranolazine, have shown clinical benefit, but targeting FHF and using engineered peptides is a newer and largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johny, Manu Ben — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Johny, Manu Ben
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.